myenteric plexus

8.3

A network of nerves between the gut muscles that controls movement of food

noun
/ˌmaɪənˈtɛrɪk ˈplɛksəs/

Specialized

: plexo mientérico

The myenteric plexus helps regulate the contractions that move food through the intestines.

Examples

Damage to the myenteric plexus can lead to severe digestive problems.
Researchers studied the structure of the myenteric plexus in patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
The myenteric plexus regulates gut motility.
Many researchers study the myenteric plexus for insights into digestion.
Damage to the myenteric plexus can lead to severe digestive problems.
Researchers studied the structure of the myenteric plexus in patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
The myenteric plexus helps regulate the contractions that move food through the intestines.

Synonyms

plexus myentericus

vsmyenteric plexus

Specialized

9.9

A network of nerves in the gut wall that controls muscle movement

is the general term for the same nerve network controlling gut movement

Surface Forms

myenteric plexus singular

myenteric plexuses plural

Morphology

myenteric + plexus

This is a highly technical anatomical term: while 'plexus' (a network) might be understandable, 'myenteric' is a specialized combining form (myo-/enteric) not found in general dictionaries and not known by an average B1 learner. The specific anatomical meaning ('the nerve network between gut muscle layers controlling motility') is not transparently derivable from everyday vocabulary, so the expression is opaque to learners at that level.

Etymology

Myenteric plexus comes from the parts myo- meaning 'muscle' and enteric meaning 'intestine', with plexus meaning 'network'. It is the nerve 'network' that sits between the muscle layers of the gut and helps move food through the intestines, so the name describes its role.